It is worth noting how the Bishop submits his reading to his father’s approval, as when he was a young boy.  Alas! no more such letters of comfort and counsel would be exchanged.  This one could hardly have been received by that much-loved father.

Preparations for the voyage were going on; but the ‘Dunedin,’ the only vessel to be procured, at best a carthorse to a racer compared with the ‘Southern Cross,’ was far from being in a satisfactory state, as appears in a note of 3rd of May to the Bishop of Wellington:—­

’Here we are still.  The only vessel that I could make any arrangement about not yet returned, and known to be in such a state that the pumps were going every two hours.  I have not chartered her, but only agreed with the owner a month ago nearly that I would take her at a certain sum per day, subject to divers conditions about being caulked (which is all she wants, I have ascertained), being provided with spare sails, spars, chronometer, boat, &c., and all agreement to be off unless by a certain day (already past) she was in a state satisfactory to Mr. Kerr.  But there is, I fear, none other, and I am in a difficulty.’

Of the same day is a letter to the Rev. Stephen Hawtrey:—­

’Taurarua, Auckland:  May 6, 1861.

’My dear Mr. Hawtrey,—­I was highly pleased to receive a note from you.  Though I never doubt of the hearty sympathy and co-operation of all Eton friends (how could you do so with such an annual subscription list?), yet it is very pleasant and more than pleasant to be reminded by word or by letter that prayers and wishes are being offered up for Melanesia by many good men throughout the world.

’I should like to send a special appeal for a Mission Vessel by the next mail.  We cannot get on without one.  Vessels built for freight are to the “Southern Cross” as a cart-horse to a thoroughbred steed, and we must have some vessel which can do the work quickly among the multitude of the isles, and many other reasons there are which we seamen only perhaps can judge fully, which make it quite essential to the carrying on this peculiar Mission that we should have a vessel of a peculiar kind.

’Tagalana, from Mota (Sugar Loaf Island), in the Banks Archipelago, is, I think, likely by God’s great mercy to become the first-fruits of that cluster of islands unto Christ.  He is here for the third time; and I have infinite comfort in seeing the earnestness of his character, and the deep sense of what he was, and what he is going to be, so truly realised.

’He is now so unlike what still his people are, so bright and open in manner, and all who see him say, “What is come to the lad, his manner and very appearance so changed!” “Clothed,” thank God, he is, “and in his right mind,” soon to sit, if not already seated, at the feet of Christ.  You may, if you think fit, let your thoughts centre more especially in him.  He, of all who have come into my hands absolutely stark naked and savage, gives now the greatest ground for hope and thanksgiving.  I shall (D.V.) think of all your dear friends assembled in your church and house on St. Barnabas Day.  May God bless and reward you all for your work of charity to Melanesia!